CAMDEN — An officer with the Camden County Police Department was able to help save a life Saturday afternoon as the department is raising alert on a recent rash of heroin overdoses in the city, according to police.

Noting 20 overdose calls in the past 24 hours, officers have been on the lookout checking alleyways and vacant building in the city.

On one such patrol Officer Edwin Cortez was checking abandoned structures near the corner of Kaighn and Marion avenues around 2 p.m. Police say Cortez discovered an unconscious male on the ground, contacted EMS and administered aid.

The man, reported as a 35-year-old Blackwood man, was taken to Copper University Hospital and regained consciousness after receiving the anti-heroin-overdose drug Narcan from an EMT, say police.

"Had Officer Cortez not been proactively checking heroin location in response to the spike in overdoses we've seen, this individual likely would have died," said Chief J. Scott Thomson.

The department hopes to train officers to administer Narcan to overdose victims with Gov. Chris Christie recently signing off on allowing first responders - with the proper training - to administer the drug.

As the rash of heroin overdoses is and ongoing investigation within the city, anyone with information is urged to contact CCPD's anonymous tip line at 856-757-7042.